Best Interview Query Alternatives for Data Science Interviews (2026)
Seven Interview Query alternatives for SQL, product sense and company-specific data science prep, with prices checked Oct 14, 2026 and who each one fits.
Which one should you use?
Interview Query is a solid full-loop data science prep platform: SQL, product sense, stats, ML, company guides and coaching. If you want something cheaper, more company-specific, more SQL-focused, or more course-heavy, these are the options I'd look at:
I run Dataford, so keep that in mind. I link to each platform's own pages so you can check pricing and features yourself.
Comparison table
| Platform | Best for | SQL practice | Company-specific content | AI mock interviews | Price (checked Oct 14, 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dataford | Company- and role-specific technical prep, plus 1:1 coaching with people at the company | Yes | Guides by company and role | Yes, timed company-role mocks graded by AI | $39/month or $99/year, with the same features on both plans |
| Interview Query | Full DS loop curriculum | Yes | Company guides and tagged questions | Mock interviews in premium | Monthly, yearly and $299 lifetime plans; check the pricing page for the current monthly rate |
| StrataScratch | Large SQL/Python bank + projects | Yes (multi-dialect) | Company-filtered questions | Yes, on Premium | $24/month, $139/year or $289 lifetime |
| DataLemur | Focused SQL (+ stats/ML) drills | Yes | Company-style SQL questions | None listed on its pricing page | $15/month, $60/year, or $300 lifetime + coaching + book |
| DataInterview | Structured courses + AI practice | Yes | Company-tagged questions | Yes on Course + AI and up | Course $20/month billed $240/year; Course + AI $30/month billed $360/year; Career Pro $60/month billed $720/year |
| DataDriven | Data engineering loop (SQL, Spark, modeling, pipelines) | Yes | DE-focused company pages | Mock interviews advertised | See datadriven.io for current plans |
| LeetCode (SQL) | Free SQL fundamentals | Yes (SQL 50 + Database set) | Limited for data roles | No | SQL 50 free; Premium $35/month or $159/year |
| PracHub | Comparisons and gap diagnosis | SQL question pages | Questions by company | AI practice on Premium | Most questions free; optional Premium |
The table puts 8 options side by side on best for, sql practice, company-specific content and ai mock interviews, with price in the last column. DataLemur, LeetCode (SQL) each have at least one red cell, a column they don't cover. Dataford is the row built around one company and role, with loop guides, real questions, AI mocks and 1:1 coaching, at $39 a month or $99 a year. Read across your weakest round first, then check price.
For reference, Interview Query's own site markets 500+ questions, company research, and courses. Treat marketing counts as directional until you confirm inside the product.
Dataford
Dataford is interview prep for a specific company and role across 80+ roles and 15,000+ companies, like Data Engineer at Meta or Software Engineer at Amazon. You get a guide to that loop, real interview questions from past candidates, AI mock interviews, and SQL and coding practice where the loop needs it. It covers data scientist, data analyst, data engineer, product analyst, ML and adjacent roles.
Interview Query (baseline)
Interview Query is the product most people are leaving or comparing against. It aims at the full data science loop: SQL, Python, statistics, A/B testing, product sense, ML, take-homes, company guides, and optional coaching.
StrataScratch
StrataScratch is a large bank of company-labeled SQL and Python questions plus non-coding prompts and hosted data projects. Reviews describe 1,000+ questions and AI mock interviews for DS/ML roles.
DataLemur
DataLemur is Nick Singh's interactive SQL (and some stats/ML) practice site, tied to Ace the Data Science Interview.
DataInterview
DataInterview (Dan Lee) is a course-led platform with a large question bank, coding practice, and AI mocks on higher tiers.
DataDriven
DataDriven focuses on data engineering interviews: SQL, Spark/Python, data modeling and pipeline design, with mock interviews.
LeetCode SQL
LeetCode's SQL 50 study plan and Database problem set are the free default for SQL syntax reps.
PracHub (diagnosis, not a full substitute)
PracHub publishes detailed comparisons of DataLemur, StrataScratch and Interview Query and positions itself for real questions plus company prep. Use it to pick a specialist rather than as your only practice tool.
How I'd choose
You usually don't need two paid subscriptions at once. Diagnose the gap, pick one paid tool, and keep one free drill site.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Interview Query alternative for company-specific prep?
Dataford. It's built around company and role guides plus practice for that loop. Interview Query also has company guides; Dataford's focus is the company-role pairing end to end.
What is the cheapest paid Interview Query alternative?
Of the prices I could verify on Oct 14, 2026, DataLemur's $60/year plan is the lowest annual option among the data-focused tools above. Dataford's $99/year plan is next. LeetCode SQL 50 is free.
Is StrataScratch or DataLemur better than Interview Query?
It depends on the gap. StrataScratch and DataLemur win for SQL/Python reps. Interview Query wins when you need product sense, experimentation and a structured full-loop curriculum.
Does DataInterview replace Interview Query?
For course-style learning with AI mocks on higher tiers, it can. Confirm current company-guide depth and mock formats on datainterview.com before you switch.
How much does Dataford cost?
Plans are $39/month or $99/year, with the same features on both plans.
Should I use Interview Query and Dataford together?
Only if your loop needs both a broad curriculum and deep company-role practice. Most people should pick one paid platform and one free drill site.
Does Dataford offer 1:1 coaching?
Yes. Dataford has 40+ coaches who currently work at companies like Meta, Google, Amazon, Databricks and Stripe. Sessions are 60-minute mock interviews or strategy calls, from about $109 to $339 per session (most are $139 to $209), with written feedback afterward. Sessions are anonymous and nothing is recorded, and you can cancel free up to 24 hours before. Coaching launched on October 17, 2026 with 40+ coaches, and we expect to pass 500 in the next couple of months as we add a more human side to prep on Dataford. Every session runs inside Dataford itself, with no separate Zoom or Google Meet link, so booking, the mock and the feedback all sit in one place.
Prices and features checked Oct 14, 2026. I run Dataford. If something here is out of date, email me and I'll fix it.